Biomedical Technician Training Program Targets Emerging Gene Therapy Manufacturing Sector

The Wistar Institute

PHILADELPHIA, PA — In an innovative partnership, The Wistar Institute and the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative come together, supported by the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, to deliver the next wave of talented biomedical technicians. This ambitious training program aims to meet the increasing talent demand of the fast-emerging cell, gene therapy manufacturing companies, starting with its newest offspring, VintaBio, Inc.

VintaBio: A New Player Emerges

Launching from stealth mode in Spring 2023, VintaBio catapulted onto the scene under the leadership of CEO Dr. David Radspinner, armed with an impressive $64 million funding pool. Also in its arsenal is a solely dedicated gene therapy manufacturing facility situated strategically at The Navy Yard.

A Pathway to Prosperity for Philadelphians

The collaborative Biomedical Technician Training Program offers promising graduates a lucrative career path and opportunities with a robust starting wage of $25 per hour at VintaBio’s site in The Navy Yard. This intensive 22-week program pays trainees for their time, as they undergo a sequence of well-focused theoretical and practical learning experiences.

  • Beginning with an initial 10-week schedule of evening classes, the curriculum lays a sturdy foundation in cellular and molecular biology at the renowned Wistar Institute.
  • Following this, students then progress to a full-scale laboratory orientation before the final transition to an externship lasting 10 weeks at VintaBio’s purpose-built facility.

Upon completion, candidates are invited to interview for full-time roles within VintaBio, ensuring a seamless transition from academic study to industry application.

Accessible and Empowering

Applications for this empowering program are accessible online until January 30, 2024, on The Navy Yard’s website. The program is slated to commence on February 13, 2024, wrapping up in July 2024. Eligible candidates should be Philadelphia residents, aged 18 years or older, holding a high school diploma or GED. Additionally, applicants should be adept at a 12th-grade level in reading, literacy and math.

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Furthermore, The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative supports participants by providing additional professional development courses, networking opportunities, and coaching.

Bridging the Talent Gap

With a goal of placing ten graduates within VintaBio, the training program reinforces the success of the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative in customizing talent solutions that bridge the gap between unemployed Philadelphians and employers seeking talent.

VintaBio, with its specialized focus on developing and manufacturing consistent, high-quality viral vectors for cell and gene therapy development, represents the growing demands of the biomedical industry.

In collaboration with The Wistar Institute, PIDC, and The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, it is abundantly clear that this emerging sector shows no sign of slowing down, and the Biomedical Technician Training Program paves an exciting pathway to growing employment opportunities.

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